Locomotive engines at the railway yard in Mombasa imported by RVR. PHOTO | FILE
Train operator Rift Valley Railways on Thursday received four locomotives and said it expects to ship in seven more by May this year to boost its capacity for cargo and passenger services.
The rail operator said on Thursday the latest purchase has increased the total locomotives acquired since September last year to 13.
The locomotives were bought from General Electric at a cost of Sh2.3 billion ($25 million) with the support of a $20 million asset financing facility from Standard Bank and $5 million from majority shareholder, Qalaa Holdings.
RVR, which has an exclusive contract to run railway operations in Kenya and Uganda for 25 years, says that it is refurbishing old trains and intends to buy more from South Africa with a wider plan to ship in 34 new trains.
The firm had come under criticism from the government for the slow pace of investment in the railways lines and buying new locomotives.
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